Koeman can’t fault Barkley

Ross Barkley is doing everything in his power to fulfil his potential at Everton, according to boss Ronald Koeman.

Barkley is still only 22 but he is already five years into his Premier League career having first caught the eye for the Blues as a teenager.

After a brilliant start to last season his form tailed off and he was left unused by Roy Hodgson during England’s Euro 2016 disappointment.

With the possibility of a new start for both club and country – Sam Allardyce having replaced Hodgson and Koeman taking over at Goodison Park – Barkley has scored twice in his first three games of the campaign and is tipped to enjoy a fine campaign.

Koeman has been impressed with his attitude and application since he took over on Merseyside this summer.

“He’s been positive, really positive,” Koeman told reporters. “The most important thing in this situation is the player really knows himself it’s a big season for him to show he is not any more that (emerging) talent.

“He knows about that pressure because he’s a local boy, that always gives more pressure. But I think he can handle that pressure and deal with it.

“That’s a responsibility for the player more than maybe it was the last two years. He’s working hard trying to improve and I think there’s still a lot of space to improve to be finally a very good player.”